Garbage – what goes in the bin

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Learn what can and can’t go in your garbage bin in Portland.

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Garbage

A plastic retail bag, a green plastic shipping "air pillow," a plastic lined padded mailing envelope, Styrofoam, extension cord, light bulb, plastic lids and screw on caps.

Allowed garbage items

Plastic bags
Plastic "air pillows," plastic-lined padded mailing envelopes, and Styrofoam.
Plastic lids and screwcaps.
Garden hoses, extension cords, snow tire chains and holiday lights
Light bulbs (incandescent and LED bulbs, but not CFLs.)

Photos of a plastic tortilla chip bag, a clear plastic take-out food container, a white take-out food container, a brown paper take-out food container, a clear plastic drink cup with green "compostable" label, a paper drink cup with plastic lid and straw, plastic utensils, a plastic lined paper coffee bean bag, an ice-cream container, and a frozen food box with plastic tray inside.

Coffee cups and lids.
Take-out food containers and wrappers, and paper plates.
Drink cups and straws, utensils (paper, plastic and “compostable” items).
Frozen food packaging and microwave meal boxes and trays.
Facial tissue and paper towels.
Painted or stained wood and plywood.

Must be bagged

A tightly tied black garbage bag is shown next to photos of diapers, a bag of dog poop, a bag of cat litter, styrofoam packing peanuts, a plastic disposable glove, a broken ceramic plate, and two clear bottles of grease sealed with caps.

Diapers, dog poop, cat litter, feminine hygiene products.
Ashes, sawdust and packaging peanuts.
Broken ceramics, glass, etc.
Cooking oil, kitchen fats and grease must be sealed in a plastic bag or other container before placing in the garbage.

What's not allowed

A red X next to photos of batteries, a CFL lightbulb, a laptop, and a container of motor oil.

Batteries. (Learn how to recycle batteries safely.)
Computers, monitors, TVs. Look up drop-off locations or call 503-234-3000.
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), hazardous waste, and chemicals. Look up drop-off locations or call 503-234-3000.

Large or bulky items

Homeowners: Ask your garbage company for a cost estimate and to schedule a pickup date. Do not set items on the curb until the pickup day.

Renters and businesses: Talk to the landlord or property manager if you need to set out large items or extra garbage.

Not sure if something is garbage?

Look it up or call 503-234-3000: They’ll tell you if it goes in garbage, recycling, or compost, or where to drop it off for donation or proper disposal.

Or view more items at RecycleOrNot.org or @recycleornot on Instagram. (Visite ReciclarONo.org o @reciclarono en Instagram.)